Aberdeen City Council is set to further increase its commitment to new energy and the environment following the proposal to purchase a further 10 hydrogen buses, was agreed by the Strategic Commissioning Committee.
Under the Fuel Cell Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCHJU) funded programme the Joint Initiative for hydrogen Vehicles across Europe (JIVE) project Aberdeen City Council purchased and is in the process of deploying 15 hydrogen buses in Aberdeen in partnership with First Group as part of a wider procurement of 145 h2 buses across Europe.
An additional £1million of funding has now become available through this project giving Aberdeen City Council an option to increase the number of buses being delivered through JIVE to 25.
The intention of further deployment of buses will raise demand for hydrogen in the region and will allow a commercial supplier to enter the market as part of the delivery of a “Hydrogen Hub”.Delivery of the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub is part of the City’s Energy Transition and Strategic Infrastructure Plan’s efforts to become a climate positive city, promote an energy transition and to aid green economic recovery post-covid.
Councillor Philip Bell, Aberdeen City Council’s environmental spokesperson said: “Aberdeen has led from the front in promoting clean energy by having the most successful hydrogen bus fleet in Europe and seizing the opportunity to expand this further through the JIVE project is testament to this Council’s commitment to be a climate positive city.
“The future of road transport will be electric but where that electricity is derived is the question. Hydrogen fuel cells offer high power for heavy duty vehicles, cars with exceptional range and refuelling times on a par with petrol or diesel.
“This investment is the next phase in Aberdeen’s hydrogen journey and will ensure that Aberdeen stays at the forefront of hydrogen technology to emphasis its credentials to become the world energy transition capital.”
The Council’s commitment to the project supports the three key themes of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP). These are:
- Economy: Hydrogen offers diversification of the economy into a new energy growth sector.
- People: Increase uptake of hydrogen vehicles will reduce NOx and Lead particulates, which are known to reduce life expectancy.
- Place: Increase uptake of hydrogen vehicles will reduce carbon emissions.
Aberdeen City Council’s participation in the FCH JU JIVE project, to deliver double decker hydrogen buses in partnership with First Bus Group was approved by the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee in December 2016.
Source:City of Aberdeen
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